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1. Admissions/ Management Information
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Title of the programme – including any lower awards
Please provide the titles used for all awards relating to this programme. Note: all programmes are required to have at least a Postgraduate Certificate exit award.

See guidance on programme titles in:
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Masters LLM in Law
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Postgraduate Diploma LawPlease indicate if the Postgraduate Diploma is available as an entry point, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.Exit
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Postgraduate Certificate LawPlease indicate if the Postgraduate Certificate is available as an entry points, ie. is a programme on which a student can register, is an exit award, ie. is only available to students exiting the masters programme early, or both.Exit
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Level of qualificationLevel 7
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This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:2020
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Awarding institutionTeaching institution
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University of York University of York
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Department(s):
Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department		Board of Studies
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Lead Department York Law SchoolYork Law School
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Other contributing Departments: None
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Route code
(existing programmes only)
PMLAWSLAW1
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Admissions criteria
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Applicants will normally be expected to have obtained an undergraduate degree in Law, management, or one of the social sciences, with honours (2.1 or higher, or its equivalent). Applicants with equivalent legal professional, management or commercial experience will also be considered on a case by case basis.
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Length and status of the programme(s) and mode(s) of study
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ProgrammeLength (years/ months) Status (full-time/ part-time)
Please select		Start dates/months
(if applicable – for programmes that have multiple intakes or start dates that differ from the usual academic year)		Mode
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Face-to-face, campus-basedDistance learningOther
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LLM in Law1 YearFull-timePlease select Y/NYesPlease select Y/NYes
Mix of face to face and online learning, as outlined in programme modification document.
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LLM in Law2 YearsPart-timePlease select Y/NYesPlease select Y/NYes
Mix of face to face and online learning, as outlined in programme modification document.
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Please select Y/NPlease select Y/N
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Language(s) of study
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English
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Language(s) of assessment
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English
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2. Programme accreditation by Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Bodies (PSRB)
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2.a. Is the programme recognised or accredited by a PSRB
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Please Select Y/N: Noif No move to section 3
if Yes complete the following questions
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3. Additional Professional or Vocational Standards
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Are there any additional requirements of accrediting bodies or PSRB or pre-requisite professional experience needed to study this programme?
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Please Select Y/N: Noif Yes, provide details
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(max 500 words)
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4. Programme leadership and programme team
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4.a. Please name the programme leader for the year to which the programme design applies and any key members of staff responsible for designing, maintaining and overseeing the programme.
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Dr Peter Harrison
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4.b. Who has been involved in producing the PLOs, programme map and enhancement plan? (please include confirmation of the extent to which colleagues from the programme team /BoS have been involved; whether student views have been incorporated, and also any external input such as external examiners, employer liaison board)
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Dr Peter Harrison. Discussions have been had with Professor Scott Slorach (Director of Learning and Teaching, York Law School), Professor Matt Matravers (Programme Leader - LLM in Legal & Political Theory), Dr Sarah Wilson (Chair-Graduate Board of Studies), Professor Caroline Hunter (Head of Department), Martin Jones (Programme Leader - LLM in International Human Rights Law and Practice) and Dr Ioana Cismas (Senior Lecturer in International Human Rights Law and Practice) and Dr Maeve Pearson (ASO). Discussion with current students (through one-to-one discussion with students through supervisory/personal advisor meetings) and through student representatives. Review of anonymous individual module feedback provided through module surveys (which occur on all modules).
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5. Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
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5.a. Statement of purpose for applicants to the Masters programme
Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective masters student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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The LLM in Law at York Law School allows you to combine both the depth of academic analysis which Masters level study provides, with the flexibility to design your own programme to explore a variety of areas of law which you find of interest.  If you are aimining for career in professional legal practice, you will be able to  choose from a range of options to tailor your own programme of study to gain a level of expertise in specific areas of interest to prepare yourself for your next stage of qualification. However, the course is not only designed for students looking to enter into legal practice. It also provides an excellent grounding, both in terms of knowledge and skills, for any career in which a deeper understanding of legal issues and their societal context is required. The course also serves as a grounding for doctoral-level investigation in law and the social sciences. Whether you come from a civil or common law background, the programme will provide a foundation upon which to develop your further exploration of the law by allowing you to discuss and critique the fundamental principles and theories of common, civil and international law systems and which will develop your understanding of the operation of such principles. 

You will engage in a variety of learning activities including the use of problem-based learning (PBL) techniques. York Law School is at the forefront of the application of PBL as a tool in legal education. Within a PBL group you will work as a team to dissect real-world-inspired scenarios and determine what information you require to meet the challenges presented in the scenario.  This approach allows you to see legal problems within a broader context; develops your ability to analyse client interests, legal, practical, commercial and professional issues; and strengthens your team working and communication skills.

If you successfully complete your mandatory and optional modules you will undertake a supervised dissertation on a topic inspired by one, or more, of your chosen modules. This will allow you to develop further your research and project planning and implementation skills.
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5.a.i Statement of purpose for applicants registering for the Postgraduate Diploma programme
Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective diploma student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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(max 500 words)
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5.a.ii Statement of purpose for applicants registering for the Postgraduate Certificate programme
Please express succinctly the overall aims of the programme as an applicant facing statement for a prospectus or website. This should clarify to a prospective certificate student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
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(max 500 words)
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5.b.i. Programme Learning Outcomes - Masters
Please provide six to eight statements of what a graduate of the Masters programme will be able to do.
If the document only covers a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma please specify four to six PLO statements in the sections 5.b.ii and 5.b.iii as appropriate.
Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
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PLOOn successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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1Discuss and critically evaluate the fundamental principles and theories of common, civil and international law systems and apply a comprehensive understanding of the operation of such principles to the analysis of legal and commercial problems.
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2Apply and adapt problem-solving skills working efficiently and effectively to develop effective solutions to diverse, complex and integrated legal, practical or societal problem scenarios.
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3Influence debate in chosen areas of specialisation and interest by developing well-reasoned, critical and creative arguments, theories and solutions to broader legal issues within society, supported by researched evidence, with the capacity to draw on these to produce original responses.
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4Reflexively draw upon and apply a broad awareness of perspectives and interests in their work, capable of taking into account ethical, social, political, professional, commercial, financial, business, international, policy, human rights, ethnic, gender and client interest considerations when evaluating propositions and solving problems.
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5Record, reflect on, and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and progress in their own personal learning and professional development.
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6Develop legal research skills including: the use of computer databases and search strategies; critical evaluation of normative research questions, determine research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions, apply the skills and knowledge developed on the programme to a selected problem, and plan, project manage and implement a substantial project with minimal guidance.
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5.b.ii. Programme Learning Outcomes - Postgraduate Diploma
Please provide four to six statements outlining what a graduate of the Postgraduate Diploma programme will be able to do.
Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
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PLOOn successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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5.b.iii. Programme Learning Outcomes - Postgraduate Certificate
Please provide four to six statements outlining what a graduate of the Postgraduate Certificate programme will be able to do.
Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme. They should also be outcomes for which progressive achievement through the course of the programme can be articulated, and which will therefore be reflected in the design of the whole programme.
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PLOOn successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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5.c. Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning Outcomes
Please explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
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i) ... in what way will these PLOs result in an ambitious, challenging programme which stretches the students?
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The subject matter of this masters course is by its nature intellectually challenging and the methodology by which it is taught, focussing on problem analysis and the student-led finding of material to address the problem, allows students to engage with the subject matter in ways which will undoubtedly further stretch their intellect. Students are encouraged to critically engage with legal and academic material but are asked to consider that material in a "real-world" context, looking at the personal, economic or societal impact of laws or of legal reform. 
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ii) ... in what way will these PLOs produce a programme which is distinctive and advantageous to the student?
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The focus of teaching at York Law School, particularly through its disctinctive use of Problem-based Learning, is upon the development of problem-analyis, student-centred learning and practical reflection. Students learn how to approach a legal, commercial or societal problem, determine the crucial issues at play and assess how they should seek to obtain, critically evaluate and apply information, commentary or opinion which is relevant to the problem before them. These are highly advantageous skills for any career beyond this masters course. 
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iii) ... how the design of the programme enables students from diverse entry routes to transition successfully into the programme? For example, how does the organisation of the programme ensure solid foundations in disciplinary knowledge and understanding of conventions, language skills, mathematics and statistics skills, writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity
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All students on this programme will in the first term take a module (Legal Systems: Sources and Operation) in which they will examine the main sources of the law be those sources the common law, international law or civilian (civil code derived) systems. Students coming from civilian legal systems (predominanently non-Commonwealth nations) will be introduced to the origin, principles and working of the common law, whereas those trained in common-law jurisdictions will be introduced to the origin, principles and working of systems which use a codified system. All students will be introduced to the sources and workings of international legal systems. The similarities and contrasts between these systems will compared and contrasted. In this way students from diverse entry routes (particularly international students) will be given a foundation upon which the other modules will build. This module will also introduce students to Problem-based Learning, again as a base for using that learning methodology in other modules. Within this training students are given guidance as to team work, problem analysis and information handling. Students are given guidance as to how to arrive a problem-specific learning outcomes and how to find answers to these LO's through research using the library and on-line resources. Within those Autumn optional modules which use PBL students are given an opportunity to further practice their PBL- analysis and independent research skills and develop their academic reading and writing. In those Autumn term modules which use seminars, students have a further opportunity to develop their independent research skills along with further guidance in advanced academic reading and writing.  Students with English as a second language are given access to sessions run by CELT to develop their skills in academic English. Spring term modules (whether PBL- or seminar- focussed) will enable students to practice and deepen their analytical and independent research skills culminating (through the Core Research Skills and Methods Module) in a focus on how one should approach answering a substantial normative legal question. The independent study module serves to embed these skills and allows students to gain further confidence in their academic voice.  
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iv) ... how the programme is designed to enable students to progress successfully - in a limited time frame - through to the end of the award? For example, the development of higher level research skills; enabling students to complete an independent study module; developing competence and confidence in practical skills/ professional skills. See QAA masters characteristics doument http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Masters-Degree-Characteristics-15.pdf
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During the Autumn Term Core Module in "Legal Systems Sources and Operations" students will develop the Problem-based Learning Skills of problem analysis, formulation of learning outcomes from a particular problem, personal research and information evaluation, and are given guidance with regard to research methodology and how to deliver feedback to their group. In other Autumn Term PBL-based modules, students are given an opportunity to practice and further develop their PBL analytical, information handling, research and feedback skills. In the Autumn Term modules which do not use a PBL pedagogy, students will be introduced to these research and feedback skills within small-group seminar sessions. In the Spring Term, students will develop further their research and feedback skills (whether within a PBL- or small group- session environment) to become more independent learners/researchers.  Students' higher research skills, in terms of developing and critically evaluating normative research questions, determining research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions and planning the implementation of a substantial research project will be developed through the mandatory Research Skills & Methods Module to be taken in Term 3 of the masters course. This progression to an independent researcher will enable students to  sucessfully embark (with the support and guidance from a supervisor) upon their independent study module. YLS students are encouraged to become reflective learners and to record, reflect on, and evaluate the strengths, weaknesses and progress in their own personal learning and professional development. Such reflective practice culminates within the Research Skills & Methods Module, in  which students will review (and be assessed on) their ongoing reflection on their progress as learners and researchers throughout the year to date and explain how that progress has informed the development of their area of interest of, and the research question for, their independent study module.
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v) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will develop students’ digital literacy skills and how technology-enhanced learning will be used to support active student learning through peer/tutor interaction, collaboration and formative (self) assessment opportunities (reference could be made to such as blogging, flipped classroooms, response 'clickers' in lectures, simulations, etc).
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Students are assisted in developing their digital literacy in the following ways: a) During problem-based learning sessions students use Smart Boards to capture information and store the results for consumption by the whole group; b)  All students are given training with our Academic Liason Librarian in accessing, searching and using on-line research resources; c)
Materials, module guides and plenary sessions are shared with students through use of the VLE and academic assessments are all submitted via the VLE;  d) In the International Business Negotiation module materials are shared by students within the group through social media. In addition during the International  Business Negotation module students learn to interact remotely with a parallel group in the United States though real-time video-conferencing.
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vi) ... how this programme (as outlined in these PLOs) will support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)?
The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
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The Programme Leader has over 18 years of legal practice experience as a solicitor, and many module leaders are former practising solicitors or barristers. That experience informs the planning and delivery of the programme. Accordingly, the programme looks to strongly enhance student employability. Firstly, the Problem-based Learning focus of many modules within the programme has at its heart the development of skill sets that will be of great advantage in any professional work place. Amongst these are: ability to analyse scenario problems and to determine research strategies to address those problems; the ability to work within a team, chair sessions and capture team output; and orally present research results to the team. Those students choosing to take modules in International Corporate Governance and Law & Commercial Transactions will develop an understanding of commerciality and the economic drivers affecting business decisions. Those students taking the Intellectual Property Law optional module will further develop their Problem-based Learning skills by encountering an extended-scenario PBL model with allows for a greater analysis of the temporal elements of a problem and there is significant focus on undertstanding intellectual property rights within a commercial setting and with an eye to giving pragmatic advice to clients. For those students taking the International Business Negotiation module there are significant opportunities to develop their team working, writing (in developing communications to the counter party in negotiations) project management and presentational skills (all students engage in live negotiations with their Amercican counter-parts). Those students taking the Applying International Human Rights Law will enhance their oral and written advocacy skills.All students are able to take advantage of the York Law School Careers and Development Programme run by out full-time Employability Tutor (which encompasses a wide variety of engagement with employers including law fairs, link days, mentoring schemes, alumni events etc.). 
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vii) Consultation with Careers
The progamme proposal should be discussed with Careers (tom.banham@york.ac.uk, ext. 2686)
Please provide details of Careers' comments and your response.
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York Law School has significant experience in tailoring learning experiences to enhance employability and our development of PBL approaches over the last 10 years has been informed by discussion with potential employers (including major international law firms). Discussion of the programme has been had with the YLS full-time employability tutor. 
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viii) ... how learning and teaching on the programme are informed and led by research in the department/ Centre/ University?
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The module leaders are active researchers in the direct (or closely cognate) fields of study covered by their modules and this research informs the content and delivery of the modules. The Research Skills & Methods module is again delivered by active, highly experienced, researchers from a range of sub-specialties thereby giving a range of views and experience on research into normative legal issues. Dissertation supervision is offered by a wide range of supervisors who are experts in their fields.
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5.d. Progression
For masters programmes where students do not incrementally 'progress' on the completion of a discrete Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma, please summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of the PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of the set of modules or part thereof. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules and in circumstances where students registered on a higher award will exit early with a lower one.

Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each masters PLO, but this can be done if preferred.
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On completion of modules sufficient to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate students will be able to:
If the PG Cert is an exit award only please provide information about how students will have progressed towards the diploma/masters PLOs. Please include detail of the module diet that students will have to have completed to gain this qualification as an exit award.
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Demonstrate to an extent those skills and knowledge set out in PLOs 1 to 5 above. These students will have covered a certain amount of PLO76 in that they will have developed skills in using computer databases and search strategies and engaged in a certain amount critical evaluation of normative research questions. However in being unable to satisfactorily complete all taught modules they will have been unable to achieve PLO 6 in full. Note: Students exiting with the Postgraduate Certificate will have completed 60 credits which must include Legal Systems: Sources and Operations, Research Skills and Methods and optional modules worth 40c
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On completion of modules sufficient to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma students will be able to:
If the PG Diploma is an exit award only please provide information about how students will have progressed towards the masters PLOs. Please include detail of the module diet that students will have to have completed to gain this qualification as an exit award.
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Demonstrate those skills and knowledge set out in PLOs 1 to 65 above. These students will have covered a significant amount of PLO76 in that they will have developed skills in using computer databases and search strategies during their other modules and, having taken the the Research Skills & Methods Module and will have engaged in critical evaluation of normative research questions and determination of research methodologies which can be used to successfully address such questions. However, in not satisfactorily completing the not taking the Dissertation Module they will not satisfy fully PLO6. Students exiting with the Postgraduate Diploma will have completed 120 credits. However, in not taking the Dissertation Module (to be run in part of the Summer Term and through the Summer Vacation until the end of the programme at the end of September) they will not apply the skills and knowledge developed on the Research Skills and Methods Module to a selected problem, and plan, project manage and implement a substantial project with minimal guidance. Accordingly, those students would have progressed to meeting PLOs 1 to 6 but not the entirity of PLO 7. Students exiting with the Postgraduate Diploma will have completed 120 credits.
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6. Reference points and programme regulations
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6.a. Relevant Quality Assurance Agency benchmark statement(s) and other relevant external reference points
Please state relevant reference points consulted (e.g. Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, National Occupational Standards, Subject Benchmark Statements or the requirements of PSRBs): See also Taught Postgraduate Modular Scheme: Framework for Programme Design:
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Taught Postgraduate Modular Scheme: Framework for Programme Design
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6.b. University award regulations
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The University’s award and assessment regulations apply to all programmes: any exceptions that relate to this programme are approved by University Teaching Committee and are recorded at the end of this document.
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7. Programme Structure
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7.a. Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map
Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If the structure of your programme does not fit the usual academic year (for instance students start at the beginning of September or in January) please contact your Academic Quality Team contact in the Academic Support Office for guidance on how to represent the structure in an alternative format.

To clearly present the overall programme structure, include the name and details of each invidual CORE module in the rows below. For OPTION modules, ‘Option module’ or 'Option from list x' should be used in place of specifically including all named options. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists by term of delivery or subject theme these lists should be provided in the next section (7.b).

From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of teaching delivery for the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA'). It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets).

Summative assessment by exams should normally be scheduled in the spring week 1 and summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7). Where the summer CAP is used, a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place. (NB: An additional resit assessment week is provided in week 10 of the summer term for postgraduate students. See Guide to Assessment, 5.4.a)
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Full time structure
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CreditsModuleAutumn TermSpring Term Summer Term Summer Vacation
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CodeTitle12345678910123456789101234567891012345678910111213
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10LAW00018MLegal Systems: Sources and OperationSEA
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10LAW00050MLLM Research Skills for Dissertation WritingSEA
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60LAW00069MDissertationSEA
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20Option from List ASEA
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20Option from List ASEA
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20Option from List BSEA
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20Option from List BSEA
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20Option from List BSEA